Books matching: fantasy vs reality
73 result(s)
- #1
An abused child, Trace Pennington, reinvents herself as Ianthe Covington and enters college, where she lives in an abandoned farmhouse with her dog Weeds. Falling in love with a professor, Jacob Matthias, she spirals downward as dark secrets collide with her own, leading to flashes of memory or fantasy of her tragic childhood.
The story of 'Iodine' is a deep dive into the protagonist's psyche, portraying the slippage of time, events, and reality, blurring the lines between past, present, and fantasy. The narrative explores the interior world of a psychotic woman, presenting a disturbing, intellectually challenging, and gripping tale.
- #2
Challenger Deep by Neal Shusterman is a poignant and raw portrayal of a young man's descent into mental illness, specifically schizophrenia. The book alternates between Caden's reality and his hallucinatory world on a ship, blurring the lines between the two and providing a unique insight into his struggles. Through Caden's narrative, readers are taken on a journey through the depths of psychosis, hospitalization, and the impact of mental illness on both the individual and their loved ones. Shusterman's writing style delicately balances the harrowing nature of the story with moments of hope and compassion, creating a narrative that is both heart-wrenching and enlightening.
My family and I go to Las Vegas for two days while they tent our house for termites. I draw in my sketch pad for the whole drive, and get carsick. One step short of vomiting. Which, I suppose, makes m... - #3
'You Don't Know Me' by David Klass follows the story of John, a 14-year-old boy dealing with various struggles including abuse from his mother's boyfriend, troubles at school, and difficulties in forming relationships. Through a unique narrative style, the book delves into John's inner thoughts and emotions as he navigates through his challenging life, ultimately leading to a climactic realization about his identity and worth.
The plot of the book unfolds through John's perspective, offering a raw and emotional portrayal of his daily life filled with humor, sadness, and resilience. The writing style captures the stream of consciousness of a teenage boy, providing a glimpse into his struggles with abuse, loneliness, and the quest for understanding and acceptance in a world that often feels alien to him.
Just for example, you think I’m upstairs in my room doing my homework. Wrong. I’m not in my room. I’m not doing my homework. And even if I were up in my room I wouldn’t be doing my homework, so you’d ... - #4
Alice, a high school student, is recruited by Addison Hatta to become a Dreamwalker after being attacked by a Nightmare. She navigates a double life between our world and Wonderland, where she fights Nightmares to protect both realms. The story is a modern and dangerous retelling of Alice in Wonderland, with fantastic world-building, emotional moments, and genuine peril.
Alice ran her fingers over the ivory handles of the daggers on the desk in front of her. Cold light filled the blades, their surfaces more like silvered glass than steel. You’d think after three month... - #5
'Kissing in Manhattan' by David Schickler is a collection of interconnected short stories that revolve around the residents of the Preemption apartment building in New York City. The book delves into themes of love, lust, desire, and mysticism, presenting a twisted and magical portrayal of the city. The writing style is described as imaginative, original, and edgy, with stories that expertly interweave characters and plots, creating a thick and intriguing narrative that keeps readers engaged.
The book follows the protagonist, Douglas, the only male teacher at an exclusive girls' school in Manhattan, as he navigates through unusual situations that challenge traditional societal norms. The stories explore complex male characters and eccentric female characters, each with their own quirks and flaws that make them intriguing and relatable. Through unconventional storytelling and unique character dynamics, 'Kissing in Manhattan' offers a fresh and captivating reading experience.
- #6Dirtby:
Dirt by David Vann is a dark and unforgiving novel that delves into the dysfunctional dynamics of a family living in Sacramento in 1985. The story follows Galen, a 22-year-old trapped in a cycle of abuse and manipulation by his mother, aunt, and grandmother. The plot explores themes of abuse, privation, sexual awakening, and the struggles of transitioning from childhood to adulthood. Vann's writing style is described as sublime, with a mix of humor and edginess, tackling uncomfortable topics with skill and depth.
Galen waited under the fig tree for his mother. He read Siddhartha for the hundredth time, the young Buddha gazing into the river. He felt the enormous presence of the fig tree above him, listened for... 'Memories of My Melancholy Whores' by Gabriel Garcia Marquez is a short novella that follows a 90-year-old man who decides to make his birthday memorable by sleeping with a teenage virgin. However, the story takes unexpected turns, exploring themes of growing old, nostalgia, love, and regret. The writing style is described as poetic, with beautiful prose that captures the complex emotions and internal struggles of the protagonist.
The book delves into the protagonist's multi-layered character, driven by desires such as nostalgia, lust, denial, and longing. Despite the controversial subject matter, the book is praised for its ability to evoke deep emotions, with moments of beauty and wisdom intertwined with the protagonist's unconventional pursuit of love.
The year I turned ninety, I wanted to give myself the gift of a night of wild love with an adolescent virgin. I thought of Rosa Cabarcas, the owner of an illicit house who would inform her good client...- #8
'Collected Stories' by Gabriel Garcia Marquez is a collection of enchanting and magical short stories that showcase the author's unique writing style known as magical realism. The stories range from tales of communities torn apart by disputes and poverty to narratives of hope, love, and survival. Marquez's writing captures the essence of everyday life intertwined with elements of fantasy, creating a world where angels with gigantic wings roam free and demons spread their stink amidst the perfume of roses.
The stories in 'Collected Stories' explore themes of life and death, the odd becoming familiar, and the familiar appearing odd in practice. Marquez's writing style evolves over time, from early works that focus on the limits of physical existence to later stories that blend the ordinary with the fantastic. The collection spans a wide range of narratives, from haunting elegies of relationships in dreams to powerful tales of innocence lost in dark communities, all written with Marquez's lyrical voice and mesmerizing storytelling.
It was spinning around inside his empty head, dull and biting. A beehive had risen up inside the four walls of his skull. It grew larger and larger with successive spirals, and it beat on him inside, ... - #9
'Siren Queen' by Nghi Vo is a unique take on old Hollywood, blending magical realism with the gritty realities of the film industry in the 1920s. The protagonist, an American born Chinese girl, navigates the dangers of pursuing stardom while facing both magical and real-life challenges. The writing style combines beautiful and elegant prose to create a world filled with monsters, magic, and the complexities of love and ambition. However, some readers felt that the story's most interesting actions were often told through second-hand summaries, leaving certain aspects of the plot feeling distant and underdeveloped.
- #10
'The Changed Man' in the series 'Maps in a Mirror' by author Orson Scott Card is a collection of short stories that delve into various themes and moral lessons. Each story presents a unique perspective on human nature, morality, and the consequences of our actions. Card's writing style is captivating, blending familiar elements with surreal storylines that keep readers engaged and intrigued. From exploring the acceptance of death to the interconnectedness of humanity, the stories in this book offer thought-provoking insights into the human experience.